Hi all - had my first encounter with CFS about 5 years ago, my first episode last about a month. Weak, fatigued, hard to make it up a flight of stairs, lost weight becuase of my lack of appitite and bowel problems. It was horrible. Since then I have had reoccruing attacks, some lasting a few weeks, others lasting a few days. All come with faitgue, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, heavy eyelids (anyone ever get this one?), and sometimes a sore throat.

So my questions are several:

Does these eymptoms sound fimilar to anyone?

Is it normal to have the symptoms for only a few weeks/months at a time and then for them to dissappaear? I know the guildlines say for six months, but if its six months continuously, then what is it that I have?

Thanks in advance for all the responses. Hugs and prayers to you all!

J

Even though the classic presentation of CFS is an initial bout of 6 to 9 months, I think it possible for it to manifest in different ways, but the first thing to do would be to rule out any other possible reasons for your symptoms. This is what a good doc would do. Some other possibilities include: thyroid issues, depression, Lupus, Lymes disease, etc.

All the best

My symptoms were like yours, coming and going, until they finally just kicked my butt. But, I agree with Peregrine - different strokes (or symptom presentations) for different folks. One expert said, CFIDS comes in "different flavors."

Get that thyroid checked, though! Could make a world of difference to have that treated even if you still do have CFIDS.

KM

Oh - and BTW - yes, the symptoms you list are classic for CFIDS. For curiosity's sake you could ask for your Epstein Barr levels (all four of them) to be checked, but many docs won't do it because it's not diagnostic of anything. Doesn't give you any information as to how to be treated.